Panthers on hold

Friday

Oct 31, 2008 at 12:01 AMNov 1, 2008 at 12:01 AM

he coaches for Ocala Trinity Catholic studied the tape of both of the Celtics games with Newberry last season. And while they discussed strategy and pointed out spots they felt they could exploit, the staff avoided bringing up the fact that the Panthers won both of those contests.

By John PattonSun sports writer

OCALA- The coaches for Ocala Trinity Catholic studied the tape of both of the Celtics games with Newberry last season. And while they discussed strategy and pointed out spots they felt they could exploit, the staff avoided bringing up the fact that the Panthers won both of those contests.They didn't have to. The Trinity Catholic veterans took care of that."The seniors talked about it all week," Celtics coach John Brantley said. "There was a little bit of a revenge factor, and I got the feeling they wanted this one a great deal."They got it, as second-ranked Trinity Catholic captured the 4-2B championship with a 30-14 victory against No. 3 Newberry on Friday night.The Celtics (8-1, 4-0) got started quickly.On the night's second snap, quarterback Rob Henry (a Purdue commitment) hit Khiry McDonald in stride for a 55-yard touchdown pass.And after both teams had three-and-outs, the game's biggest play occurred.Following a Panthers' punt that was bobbled, but recovered by Trinity Catholic at its own 1, the Celtics got a 1-yard run up the middle from Henry. Then, on second down Henry (7-of-15 for 251 yards and two touchdowns) dropped back and found junior receiver Kadron Boone - who already has a scholarship offer from Florida - for a 98-yard touchdown pass."No doubt about it, (those early touchdowns were costly)," said Newberry coach Tommy Keeler, whose team was the FHSAA Class 2B state runner-up in 2007. "We gave them too much."However, while many teams have faltered through the years when the Celtics' traditionally high-powered offense has put up big plays, the Panthers (6-2, 2-1) bounced back.Never diverting from its run-heavy offense, Newberry went 57 yards on seven plays and got on the scoreboard with 2:29 remaining in the first quarter on a three-yard run by senior Ryan Brown."They have a good football team and coach Keeler does a fantastic job," Brantley said. "They always continue to come at you."However, much like the Panthers previously, Trinity Catholic came right back, ending a 13-play drive with a 25-yard field goal by Frankie Velez to make the score 17-7 TCHS.The Panthers had the opportunity to cut the lead and drove from their own 20 to the Celtics' 22, but lost a fumble.That turnover became even more deflating when Trinity Catholic added another touchdown with 1:05 remaining in the half on a trick play that saw Boone complete a 16-yard pass to John Lawroski (three receptions for 79 yards). After a celebration penalty moved the extra point attempt back 15 yards, Henry's two-point pass attempt fell incomplete and left the Celtics with a 23-7 halftime lead.Both teams added touchdowns in the second half.Trinity Catholic's came first on a 9-yard run by Jeremiaha Gates. That came on a drive where the Celtics tried just two passes, only one of which as completed - a 12-yarder to Boone (three catches for 122 yards).Newberry got the final score of the night on a 2-yard plunge by Boris Hadley with 7:36 remaining in the contest."I'm not happy at all," said Keeler, whose quarterback, Yance Enoch, picked himself up from a few huge hits to compile 129 yards of offense (88 rushing). "We moved the ball well (accumulating 301 yards of offense and 17 first downs to TCHS's 16), but we stopped ourselves too much."Keeler's team might get their own shot at revenge.If the Panthers beat P.K. Yonge next week, they will earn the playoff berth that comes with the district's runner-up slot. And if Newberry and Trinity Catholic win their first-round playoff games, they'll meet again in Ocala in the regional final on Nov. 28."I think that will happen," Brantley said.

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